Synergistic modification of chestnut powder via Lactobacillus plantarum and pullulanase: Promotion of resistant starch formation and structural-functional enhancement.

Chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) is a nutritionally dense food, notably rich in starch, making it an important natural source of carbohydrates and energy for human diets. However, its high content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) limits its use in low-glycemic-index (GI) food products. This study developed a synergistic bioprocess combining Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation and pullulanase-catalyzed debranching to enhance the nutritional and structural characteristics of chestnut powder.

Synergistic stabilization of high internal phase Pickering emulsions using zein nanoparticles and quillaja saponin: Advancing stability, functional properties, and fat replacement in food systems.

High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs), stabilized by colloidal particles, have attracted interest owing to their exceptional stability, tunable viscoelasticity, and versatile encapsulation capabilities. With increasing health concerns over saturated fats and the demand for sustainable fat alternatives, novel emulsion-based substitutes are of significant interest. In this study, oil-in-water HIPPEs containing 80 % oil phase were formulated using food-grade zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) and quillaja saponin (QS) as co-stabilizers.

Role of eIF4E in mediating cytotoxic effect of HHT and ATO on AML cells in bone marrow microenvironment.

Background: The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) shields leukemic cells from chemotherapy, fostering disease recurrence and progression.

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in AML progression and chemosensitivity, highlighting stroma-dependent chemoprotection mechanisms to develop potential microenvironment-directed therapies.

Methods: The GEO dataset was analyzed for the relationship between eIF4E mRNA expression and clinical characteristics in AML patients.

Natural killer cell granule protein 7 contributes to CD8 T cell-mediated platelet apoptosis in immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: CD8 T cells participate in the pathogenesis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Natural killer cell granule protein 7 (NKG7) is essential for natural killer cell and CD8 T cell cytotoxicity. The function of NKG7 in CD8 T cells in ITP remains unclear.

Baicalein mitigates chlorpyrifos-induced intestinal injury by blocking AMPK-ULK1 binding via the autophagy/ferroptosis axis.

Long-term environmental exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) can cause intestinal damage. Baicalein (BAI) helps aquatic organisms resist environmental pollution stress. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key molecule in energy regulation; however, the mechanism by which BAI inhibits CPF-induced autophagy/ferroptosis remains unclear.

Combination Therapy Against Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Association Between Efficacy and White Blood Cell Count.

Background: Numerous studies suggest that hyperactivation of the immuno-inflammatory system, as reflected in cytokine levels, is associated with more severe symptoms in mood and anxiety disorders and weaker response to treatment. Here we examined whether the efficacy of a combination of bright light therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and medication is associated with another immuno-inflammatory index, white blood cell count, before and/or after treatment, in a retrospective observational study.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 467 inpatients with major depressive, bipolar, or generalized anxiety disorder who were treated with combination therapy for at least one week at Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital between April 2022 and April 2024.

Clinical value of the lactate-to-albumin ratio in assessing prognosis in critically ill patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy: A retrospective analysis.

ObjectiveSepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a critical complication of sepsis with high mortality, yet reliable prognostic biomarkers remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between the lactate-to-albumin ratio (LAR) and short- and long-term mortality in SAE patients.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using the MIMIC-IV database, including 874 adult SAE patients.

Extract Supports Skin Homeostasis by Enhancing Epidermal Stem Cell Function and Reinforcing Their Extracellular Niche.

Skin aging is characterized by compromised epidermal homeostasis and dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) integrity, resulting in reduced stem cell potential and impaired tissue regeneration. This study investigated the effects of extract (APE) on keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) and DEJ composition in human skin. Using human skin explants and cell culture models, we demonstrated that APE treatment enhances DEJ composition by increasing Collagen IV and Laminin production while decreasing MMP-9 expression, without altering epidermal structure or differentiation.

Strategies to Enhance Health Communication Participation Among Medical Students in Chinese Universities: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Health communication is the central social process that refers to the systematic dissemination of evidence-based health information to improve public health literacy and promote healthy behaviors. Medical students' participation in health communication is an effective way to improve public health. This study aimed to explore the current status and influencing factors of medical students' participation in health communication and offer specific suggestions.

Unveiling the mechanisms of metolachlor biodegradation and physiological adaptations in Penicillium oxalicum MetF1.

Environmental risk posed by metolachlor to farmland has garnered significant concern. AlthoughPenicillium oxalicumMetF1 exhibits metolachlor degradation potential, underlying biochemical mechanisms remain unclear. To address this, a comprehensive investigation integrating physicochemical properties, phenotypic characterization, transcriptomic profiling, and metabolomic analysis was conducted.

A novel combination therapy with Uridine and Praziquantel effectively alleviates schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis through promoting adipogenic differentiation.

Schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis, a consequence of egg-induced granulomatous lesions, remains untreated by current drugs. Therefore, the development of novel antifibrosis drugs is of paramount importance. Our previous study indicated that aberrant uridine concentrations play a pivotal role in schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Tuning the visible circularly polarized luminescence in highly emissive chiral terbium and europium chlorides.

Chiral hybrid metal halides have become increasingly popular due to their high structural tunability and exceptional optoelectronic properties. Incorporating rare-earth (RE) metals into the structural units and inheriting their pure emission characteristics are of great interest and importance. Here, we report two pairs of new isostructural chiral hybrid RE chlorides based on RE metals Tb and Eu, crystallizing in the non-centrosymmetric space group 222.

Toxicity of S-metolachlor to non-target crop Vigna angularis: Influences from soil properties to molecular mechanism.

S-metolachlor (ME) is a widely used pre-emergence herbicide, and yet there are frequent incidents of non-target crop damage caused by ME application in production practice. Understanding the factors and mechanisms influencing the toxicity of ME on non-target crops is crucial for ensuring the rational use of pesticides in agriculture. This study shows that while the permissible concentration of ME does not significantly affect the germination rate of Vigna angularis (V.

Evaluation of multiparametric MRI and clinical indicators for renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health challenge, while renal fibrosis (RF) is the key pathological process and represents irreversible kidney damage. There is an urgent need for non-invasive techniques for assessment of RF. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of integrating native T mapping, readout segmentation of long variable echo-trains-diffusion-weighted imaging (RESOLVE-DWI), and T* mapping imaging with clinical indicators in detecting RF caused by CKD.

Comparative study on structural and functional properties of pectic polysaccharides from five varieties of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.).

Persimmons, extensively cultivated in Asia, are rich in pectin, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds, making them highly nutritious. This study analyzed the structural and functional properties of pectic polysaccharides extracted from five persimmon varieties. The results showed that the galacturonic acid content in the pectic polysaccharides of different persimmon varieties ranged from 20.

Ferrihydrite redox enhanced biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons coupling with conversion of soil multi-elements by electron transfer.

In the soil microbial electrochemical remediation, iron transformations commonly govern electron transfer, bioelectricity generation and pollutant degradation. In this study, the conversion of ferrihydrite to goethite (cathode) and hematite (anode) increased electronic circulation channels, with a 67 % increase in charge output and 74 % improvement in petroleum hydrocarbon removal. Simultaneously, ferrihydrite-mediated processes facilitated the activation of recalcitrant organic carbon, resulting in 9 % lignin and 30 % unsaturated hydrocarbon degradation.

Assessing the impact of standardized-patient scenario-based simulation teaching combined with serialized micro-course instruction in pediatric nursing teaching.

Access to advanced clinical training and experienced instructors is often limited in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting the need for practical, scalable, and resource-efficient teaching approaches. This study aimed to ascertain the application value of student-standardized patient (SSP) scenario-based simulation teaching mode in combination with serialized micro-course instruction in pediatric clinical nursing teaching. A quasi-experimental design was employed.

Global Burden of Dental Caries from 1990 to 2021 and Future Projections.

Objective: To characterise the burdens, trends and risk factors of untreated caries in permanent and deciduous teeth from 1990 to 2021 worldwide.

Methods: We extracted data on the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to dental caries from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2021 for 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021. We used the age-standardised rate, percentage change, and estimated annual percentage change to assess the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden.

Exploring the effects of white LED irradiation on postharvest quality and carotenoid biosynthesis in fresh goji Berries: Insights from physiological and transcriptomic analyses.

The fragile texture of fresh goji berries makes them prone to rapid quality deterioration during storage. This study investigated the effects of white LED irradiation (100 μmol m s) on the postharvest quality of fresh goji berries. Compared to control samples, LED irradiation significantly improved fruit firmness and total phenolic content, preserved color quality and total carotenoid levels, and upregulated carotenoid biosynthesis genes such as LbPSY, LbZ-ISO, LbCRTISO, and LbLCA1.

Chromosome-level Assembly of the Genome of Mesocentrotus nudus Reveals a Sex-Linked Region on Chromosome 7.

The sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus holds significant economic importance, making a comprehensive understanding of its sex differentiation and development mechanisms crucial for facilitating genetic enhancement. In this study, a high-quality chromosome-level assembly of the M. nudus genome was accomplished, spanning 707 Mb and encompassing 21 chromosomes, which together represented 97.

Interaction of blood-entry components, network pharmacology and transcriptomics to elucidate the mechanism of Wentong plaster in treating primary dysmenorrhea.

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is characterized by pain during the menstrual cycle, affects women's health. Our group developed a traditional Chinese medicine plaster (Wentong plaster, WTT) for the treatment of PD. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated.

MOF-derived Co catalysts modified with RuO for durable Li-O batteries.

Li-O batteries have attracted increasing attention due to their high theoretical specific capacity. However, their practical application is limited by factors such as excessively high overpotential and poor rate and cycle performance. It is crucial to find high-efficiency catalysts to improve the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), as well as to provide sufficient space to store undecomposed LiO.

Antioxidant activity and metabolic profile changes in fermented by breast-milk-derived HM-R28.

Introduction: The fermentation of lactic acid bacteria can alter the nutraceutical and functional efficacy of food and medicinal products, particularly when involving bioactive compounds similar to those in (), which include polysaccharides and triterpenoids. In this study, we used HM-R28 ( HM-R28) from breast milk to ferment in a liquid state and investigated changes in the physicochemical properties and metabolic composition before and after fermentation.

Methods: Additionally, we evaluated the effect of HM-R28 on the antioxidant activity and polysaccharide content of the fermentation broth to elucidate its role.

Preparation and characterization of chestnut porous starch by plasma-activated water combined with enzymatic hydrolysis.

Unlabelled: Porous starch is prevalently utilized for loading and transporting biologically active substances and constitutes an inexpensive sorbent with an extensive range of applications. In this study, an innovative and high-efficient preparation approach for chestnut porous starch was executed by integrating plasma-activated water with hydrolysis (α-amylase and glucosidase). Under the optimized conditions (jet power and time, enzyme dosage and hydrolysis time), the obtained chestnut porous starch showed to possess a uniformly porous structure under the electron microscope.

IBSP mediates fibroblast malignant behaviors in hypertrophic scars via interacting with SKP1.

Aims: Hypertrophic scars (HS) are fibrotic skin conditions marked by abnormal myofibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation. This study aimed to elucidate the functional effects and potential mechanisms of integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP) in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Materials And Methods: IBSP protein and wnt signaling pathway were screened by transcriptomics.